Avalanche prospect report: Leivermann, Barron starring

Welcome to the first weekly BSN Avalanche prospect report. Every week we are going to take a look to see how Colorado’s prospects are progressing and performing. Since this is the first edition, you’re going to get a little background on each player so that you can get to know them a little better as players.

Nicky Leivermann – 2017 Round 7, Pick 187 (Penticton Vees – BCHL)

Nicky Leivermann is having himself a very productive season from the blue line during his first year in the BCHL. The former Eden Prairie High captain played just eight games with the Bloomington Thunder of the USHL last year, scoring one goal, before moving over to the Penticton Vees of the BCHL.

Penticton sits fourth overall in league standings, despite having played the fewest number of games, thanks in large part to Leivermann. The 5’11”, 195-pound defenseman posted four goals and five points week (including a hat trick) in three games the week of November 12th. He built on that by adding two points (1G, 1A) this past week, including a beautiful short-side goal to open the scoring against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, as his team went 3-0-0. Leivermann now has 22 points (7G, 15A) in 24 games this season.

Nov. 22: @ Trail Smoke Eaters

W 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 24: vs Salmon Arm Silver Backs

W (OT) 3-2 – 1G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Chiliwack Chiefs

W 2-0 – 0G, 1A

Connor Timmins – 2017 Round 2, Pick 32 (Soo Greyhounds – OHL)

Connor Timmins is one Colorado’s most exciting prospects, and he’s showing why in his third season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Taken with the first pick of the second round, Timmins was considered by most to be a clear-cut top 31 prospect after putting up 61 points (7G, 54A) in 67 games as a defenseman during his draft year. Fortunately for the Avs, he fell into their lap at the start of day two of the draft as they doubled down on defensemen with their first two selections in 2017. Timmins was one of the last cuts from camp and earned praise from both coaches and teammates in the Avalanche organization.

The Greyhounds have won 20 of their 25 games so far this season after going 3-0-0 during the holiday week. Timmins had five points (1G, 4A) and was a +6 in the three games his team won. Known as much more of a puck mover and set-up man, Timmins’ goal came on the power play in what was, at the time, a close game against the Peterborough Petes. His third goal of the season keeps him over a point per game as he currently sits with 24 points (3G, 21A) through 21 games.

Nov. 22: vs Sudbury Wolves

W 4-3 – 0G, 1A

Nov. 24: vs Kitchener Rangers

W 8-2 – 0G, 3A

Nov. 25: vs Peterborough Petes

W 8-3 – 1G, 0A

Travis Barron – 2016 Round 7, Pick 191 (Ottawa 67’s – OHL)

Colorado’s last pick in 2016, Travis Barron is having a breakout season in his third year with the Ottawa 67’s. Barron, who is in his second year as captain of Ottawa’s major junior team, is currently pacing towards a 60 point season after 25 games. His previous career high is 37 points (60 GP). Unlike his OHL counterpart and fellow Avs prospect, Connor Timmins, Barron’s team is not much of a league powerhouse. Making his high point totals that much more impressive.

The 67’s played four games in seven days, all on the road, and came away with only one win (1-2-1). Barron’s hot start sputtered a bit this past week as well, as he only managed two points (1G, 1A) in the four outings. It wasn’t due to a lack of effort, however. The 67’s captain put 15 total shots on net throughout the week, including six in one game. Ottawa fell to 13-11-1 and Barron stays just shy of being a point per game player with 22 (6G, 16A) in 25 games. Given his improvements this season, Barron would seem to be on track for a contract from the Avalanche.

Nov. 19: @ Kingston Frontenacs

W 4-2 – 1G, 1A

Nov. 23: @ Erie Otters

L (SO) 5-4 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 24: @ Niagara IceDogs

L 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Hamilton Bulldogs

L 6-2 – 0G, 0A

Ty Lewis – Undrafted (Brandon Wheat Kings – WHL)

The only undrafted player on our list. After growing through the Brandon Wheat Kings system, Ty Lewis was invited to Avs training camp on an amateur try-out in 2017 and showed well enough to earn himself an ELC. And it looks like Colorado’s amateur scouting department may have found something in the 5’11” left wing. Lewis had a huge break out season for the Wheat Kings last year, posting a career-high 68 points in 70 games. Which more than doubled his previous career best of 23 points. Here’s where it gets exciting, he’s on pace to once again more than double his career high. Lewis is tearing it up in the WHL this year with 40 points in 23 games and is one of the league leaders in assists to this point.

Brandon sits near the top of the league standings and continued their strong play this past week on the shoulders of Ty Lewis. Lewis posted six points as his team went 2-1-0 in the seven-day stretch. He ended his week by scoring an overtime goal against the high flying Swift Current Broncos in the second game of a six-game road trip. Lewis is doing a lot of things right for the Wheat Kings, as he continues to lead them in points after stringing three more good games together. This is definitely someone to keep an eye on as the season goes on.

Nov. 19: vs Swift Current Broncos

W 7-3 – 1G, 1A

Nov. 24: @ Saskatoon Blades

L 6-5 – 1G, 2A

Nov. 25: @ Swift Current Broncos

W (OT) 3-2 – 1G, 0A

Nick Henry – 2017 Round 4, Pick 94 (Regina Pats – WHL)

Before being picked by the Avalanche in the fourth round of the 2017 entry draft, Nick Henry found out that he was going to need major shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. With this information in hand, Henry decided to hold off on the surgery so that he could attend development camp with other Avalanche prospects. That right there should tell you enough about what kind of player Henry is. We were finally able to get a look at Henry on the ice this month, and he hasn’t disappointed so far.

Getting Henry back was huge for Regina’s season. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t make much of a difference this past week. The Pats went 1-3-0 on the week and were on the wrong end of three straight blowouts. Henry looks like he’s still getting back into the swing of things, as anyone would who just sat out as long as he did. The good news is that Henry’s second week back ended with him having his best game yet. Henry was in on all three of Regina’s goals in a losing effort, giving him five points (2G, 3A) in eight games since coming back. Expect to see his point total to continue to climb as he gets back to his old self. 

Nov. 19: @ Everett Silvertips

W 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 23: @ Seattle ThunderBirds

L 6-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 24: @ Tri-City Americans

L 6-0 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Spokane Chiefs

L 7-3 – 1G, 2A

Josh Anderson – 2016 Round 3, Pick 71 (Prince George Cougars – WHL)

Selected by Colorado in the third round for his reputation of being a big, physical shut down defenseman – Anderson has certainly been that for Prince George in his four-year WHL career. He battled through a cracked vertebrae before being forced to cut his season short by team doctors in his draft year. While it looks like he has recovered nicely from the back surgery that came along with the aforementioned cracked vertebrae, it does not look like his offensive games taken the strides the Avs have wanted. Being purely a shutdown defenseman just doesn’t cut it anymore in the NHL, and until Anderson can develop that part of his game, he’ll continue to be an early cut from training camp every year.

The Cougars went into the week with a .500 record. They’re leaving the week three game under that mark. Anderson’s Cougars went 0-3-0 and were routed twice by Medicine Hat. The 6’2” defenseman didn’t register any points in the three losses. That isn’t unexpected, however. After all, he was voted Prince George’s “top unsung hero” last year. Unsung heroes aren’t usually burning up the scoresheet.

Nov. 21: vs Medicine Hat Tigers

L 7-4 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 22: vs Medicine Hat Tigers

L 7-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 24: @ Kamloops Blazers

L 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Nate Clurman – 2016 Round 6, Pick 161 (Tri City Storm – USHL)

A Colorado native, Clurman grew up playing in the local hockey systems before leaving Colorado to attend Culver Military academy for high school. Clurman put up good numbers from the blue line in high school, good enough for the Tri-City Storm to add him to their roster following his senior year. As a rookie, Clurman has struggled to translate an offensive style of play that saw him play at close to a point per game at Culver to the USHL. He is already committed to Notre Dame for 2018-2019, so there’s plenty of time for him to find some more offense before he starts pushing for a pro roster spot.

Tri-City added to an already impressive record last week. They now sit in second place in league standings thanks to a 2-1-0 record over the last seven days. Similarly to Josh Anderson, Clurman didn’t get on the score sheet. That again isn’t completely unexpected. The USHL rookie defenseman is still looking for his first Major junior goal, as his only point, this season was an assist back on October 13th.

Nov. 22: @ Lincoln Stars

W 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 24: @ Sioux City Musketeers

W (OT) 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Sioux Falls Stampede

L 4-2 – 0G, 0A

Gustav Olhaver – 2015 Round 7, Pick 191 (IK Oskarshamn – Allsvenskan)

Olhaver was Colorado’s last pick in 2015, and he’s a beast of a man… err…kid? At just 20-years-old, the Swedish native stands at an intimidating 6’6” and weighs 225 lbs. After playing one season in the WHL with Seattle and Swift Current and putting up less than impressive numbers, Olhaver returned to Sweden to play in the Rögle BK system. He took the step into pro hockey last year when he was called up from the U20 team to join the parent club. Ten games and one point later, he left the SHL to join IK Oskarshamn of the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second-best league). While he possesses good tools, Gustav Olhaver just hasn’t ever found a steady offensive game which is part of the reason he left Sweden’s top league in favor of the second tier he now plays in.

As of Sunday night, IK Oskarshamn sits atop the league with an 11-5-5 record, as they picked up points in both games they played last week. Olhaver got the scoring started for his team against Västerviks IK, which was his fits point since November 7th. Even with him moving out of the SHL, you have to wonder if Olhaver will be able to put it all together and become an offensive threat. With that size, you can only hope.

Nov. 22: @ Timrå IK

L (OT) 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Västerviks IK

W 2-1 – 1G, 0A

Adam Werner – 2016 Round 5, Pick 131 ( IF Björklöven – Allsvenskan)

We have arrived at the first goalie on the list. Adam Werner was taken by Colorado in the fifth round of the 2016 Entry Draft. Werner would become the first of two European over-agers the Avs took at goaltender in the draft in back to back years. Werner has played for enough teams overseas to make your head spin. It’s hard to get a good read on him because he does bounce around so much. The most games he’s ever played with one team is 35, that was back in 2015-2016, the season before Colorado drafted him. His numbers have always been respectable, but for one reason or another, he did not receive an invite to training camp this year. He was in attendance at the Avs’ annual Development camp but did not attend the Rookie Showcase.

IF Björklöven is holding down the last playoff spot in the Allsvenskan right now with a 9-8-4 record. While his team played in three games last week, Werner only got the call to start once, and it was not a good outing for him. He gave up six goals on only 26 shots. Nights like that aren’t going to help his team hold onto the playoff spot they currently occupy or help his case for getting more starts.

Nov. 24: @ Tingsryds AIF

L 6-3 – 6GA, .769 SV%

Petr Kvaca – 2017 Round 4, Pick 114 (ČEZ Motor České Budějovice – Czech 2)

As we mentioned before, Colorado has taken over-aged European goaltenders in back to back years. Adam Werner was the first, and Petr Kvaca came next. A somewhat puzzling pick at the time given that there was what seemed to be better goalies still on the board. But, excluding his first day of development camp where he stepped off of a ten-hour flight and pretty much went straight to the rink, he has looked fantastic since being drafted by the Avalanche. He’s off to a great start in the Czech Republic this year, posting an impressive 1.61 GAA and .929 SV% through 19 games. If he keeps this up, the Avalanche front office could look brilliant for snatching him up when they did.

The stellar play of Petr Kvaca has helped ČEZ Motor České Budějovice to the second-best record in the league. netminders team played three games last week, all of which he started in, which shows what confidence his coaches have in him right now, and for good reason. On the back of Kvaca, ČEZ Motor České Budějovice went 2-1-0 across the three games, which included one shutout victory in a game where they were badly outplayed. If he keeps this up, we’ll be talking about him a lot more.

Nov. 20: @ HC Energie Karlovy Vary

W 3-2 – 2GA, .935 SV%

Nov. 24: vs Knights of Kladno

W 3-0 – 0GA, .1000 SV%

Nov. 24: @ HC ZUBR Přerov

L 3-2 – 3GA, .857 SV%

Igor Shvyrov – 2017 Round 5, Pick 125 (Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk – MHL)

Kind of an off the board pick for the Avs this year. Not because he’s a bad player, but because getting him to agree to come to North America is going to be difficult. Shvyrov is a talented player with tremendous puck skills. After he was selected by the Avs, videos started floating around of him tearing apart his competition, if you can even call it that. His numbers in the MHL (Russia’s version of the AHL) are jaw-dropping, but whenever he gets time with the KHL parent club, his ice time is extremely limited and he struggles to even get on the ice. He played in a game this year where he logged :11 of ice time. Yes, eleven seconds. Whenever he plays, he is a beast. It’s not clear as to why coaches won’t give him a look.

The MHL doesn’t make their game stats very accessible, so while we try to find a reliable source of info for this league on a weekly basis, we’ll just take a look at his season totals every week.

4GP, 4G, 5A, 9P

Cam Morrison – 2016 Round 2, Pick 40 (Notre Dame – NCAA)

Now a sophomore at Notre Dame, Cam Morrison is looking to build on a solid freshman year. After being selected in the second round of 2016, the 6’2” forward put up 24 points (12G, 12A) for the Fighting Irish as an 18-year-old. Morrison is a big body with a high hockey IQ. One of the Avs’ most underrated prospects, Morrison is on pace to set new career bests in his second year of Division I hockey. A player we haven’t gotten much of a look at in Colorado thanks to NCAA rules that say players with college commitments can only participate in development camp, Morrison is someone the Avs are going to start to look seriously at making the jump to pro hockey sooner rather than later.

The 12-3 Fighting Irish had a huge week, sweeping the Minnesota Gophers over the weekend. Morrison showed well for himself also. While the first of two games was a 1-0 thriller that didn’t put much offense on display for either team, Notre Dame buried Minnesota in a 5-2 blowout on Saturday. Cam Morrison picked up 3 points in the series.

Nov. 24: vs Minnesota Gophers

W 1-0 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Minnesota Gophers

W 5-2 – 0G, 3A

Denis Smirnov – 2017 Round 6, Pick 156 (Penn State – NCAA)

Standing at just 5’8”, Smirnov relies heavily on his raw skill to be successful. And he has plenty of it. Smirnov posted an impressive 47 points (19G, 28A) in just 39 games for Penn State as a freshman. When you watch him play, it’s easy to fall in love with his raw talent. We saw him flash some of that skill at development camp. The kid is dynamite with the puck on his stick. But a lot like Rocco Grimaldi, a player Avs fans are familiar with, it takes more than just skill to be successful when you are as undersized as Smirnov is. Not to say it can’t be done (ex. Johhny Gaudreau), but Smirnov has ways to go in that aspect before we can start penciling him into the Avs lineup.

Smirnov has been out of Penn State’s lineup since the first week of November with an undisclosed injury. He had 11 points (5G, 6A) in eight games for the Nittany Lions before the injury.

Nov. 24: vs Michigan State Spartans

W 7-2 – Injured

Nov. 25: vs Michigan State Spartans

Tie 2-2 – Injured

Shane Bowers – 2017 Round 1, Pick 28 (Boston University – NCAA)

Colorado’s newest prospect! Shane Bowers was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators. Many thought Colin White was Colorado’s main target when talking about forward prospects in the trade. While White is a great prospect that already has a pro contract, Shane Bowers is a very similar caliber of prospect. The difference being that Bowers can’t make the jump until at least the end of his freshman season. Colorado got a real player here, and one that fans should be excited about. Listed officially as a center, Bowers comes in a 6’2” and is a dangerous offensive player that can get to the net quickly and cause problems for opposing net minders.

The Terriers played only one game over the holiday week against 9-1 Cornell and came up just short on a three-goal third-period rally. While Bowers wasn’t able to find the back of the net, he put a team-high 5 shots on goal and was a threat all night. Boston currently sits at 6-8, and Bowers has a respectable 9 points (6G, 3A) in 15 games so far his first year of college hockey.

Nov. 25: @ Cornell Big Red

L 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Cale Makar – 2017 Round 1, Pick 4 (UMass Amherst – NCAA)

Probably the reason you’re reading this. Cale Makar is maybe Colorado’s most exciting prospect ever. At least, one that didn’t immediately make the jump to the NHL. Makar has been described as one of the purest talents to ever come out of the AJHL. An extremely smooth-skating defenseman who, thanks to his offensive abilities, draws comparisons to NHL superstar Erik Karlsson. Makar put up an astounding 75 points (24G, 51A) in 54 games last year for the Brooks Bandits. Which is extremely impressive for any defenseman regardless of the league. Makar is in good hands at Umass Amerst, his new coach, Greg Carvel, was the defensive coach for the Ottawa Senators prior to taking over over for the Minutemen. Yes, those Ottawa Senators, where Erik Karlsson leads the back end.

Umass Amherst is a rebuilding program. But they didn’t play like it this weekend, picking up back to back wins against Quinnipiac. Cale Makar had two helpers and was a +5 on the weekend. It was said at the beginning of the year that if the Minutemen had any chance of being relevant, it was going to have to be on the shoulder of Makar. He has helped put, what is otherwise a bad team, over the .500 mark with his play. Many expect Makar to follow a similar path as Tyson Jost, one year of college hockey, then make the leap into the pros.

Nov. 24: @ Quinnipiac Bobcats

W 2-1 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: vs Quinnipiac Bobcats

W 6-3 – 0G, 2A

Mason Geertsen – 2013 Round 4, Pick 93 (SA Rampage – AHL)

A 2013 mid-round pick, Geertsen has spent most of his pro hockey career bouncing between the ECHL and the AHL. He hasn’t ever seemed to take that next step. He has never developed an offensive game at the pro level, with only 15 points (2G, 3A) over parts of four seasons in the AHL. Colorado had high hopes for him when they drafted him, but with the glut of young, puck moving, offensive defenseman the Avs have coming up through the ranks, Geertsen may never find a home with the Avalanche.

An interesting week for the Rampage. An exciting overtime win to start, followed by two drubbings. Geertsen didn’t contribute anything to the offense but did get his name on the score sheet in the penalty column. Geertsen received a five minute major, and a game misconduct for elbowing just 1:50 into the second period. He was suspended by the league for three games following the ejection and did not play in the team’s last game of the week. 

Nov. 21: @ Bakersfield Condors

W (OT) 3-2 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 22: @ San Jose Barracudas

L 5-3 – 0G, 2A

Nov. 25: @ Bakersfield Condors

L 7-3 – Suspended

Julien Nantel – 2014 Round 7, Pick 204 (SA Rampage – AHL/Colorado Eagle – ECHL)

Taken near the very end of the 2014 draft, Nantel looks like he might be one of those guys that is too good for the ECHL, but not quite good enough for the AHL. He has started the last two season in San Antonio with the Rampage but has been demoted to the Colorado Eagles each time. Nantel was key in the Eagles run to win the Kelly Cup last season, putting up 16 points (8G, 8A) in 20 playoff games. He hovers right around a point per game whenever he is playing in Loveland, but that offense just doesn’t translate to the American League.

Currently with the Eagles, Nantel had a decent week as his team split a two-game series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. While Nantel was kept off the score sheet in the first game, he made his presence felt in the second game. He chipped in two goals while his team coasted to a victory. Now defending their title, the Eagles own an impressive 11-4-3 record, and Nantel continues his strong ECHL play with 4 points (2G, 2A) in 5 games.

Nov. 21: vs Greensville Swamp Rabbits

L (OT) 4-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 22: vs Greensville Swamp Rabbits

W 6-1 – 2G, 0A

AJ Greer – 2015 Round 2, Pick 39 (SA Rampage – AHL)

Another piece that was part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade. AJ Greer is someone that Avs fans should know. If not for the fact that he is one of the teams best prospects, but because he’s seen a fair amount of time with the Avalanche. Greer has a unique blend of skill and grit. He can play an agitator role, but also contribute quite a bit offensively. Early in the summer, we had him all but written into the Avalanche lineup. But thanks to a couple trades and UFA signings, Greer will spend the majority of his season in San Antonio. And that’s probably for the best, while we expect big things from him, he looks like he still needs a little bit more time before he’s a bonafide NHLer.

Greer was having a really good week for the Rampage before getting hurt. He scored the overtime game winner in their only win, then scored a beautiful goal in the eventual loss to the Barracudas. The team never officially announced what his injury was, but it as serious enough to keep him out of the lineup in a game where they could’ve used him.

Nov. 21: @ Bakersfield Condors

W (OT) 3-2 – 1G, 0A

Nov. 22: @ San Jose Barracudas

L 5-3 – 1G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Bakersfield Condors

L 7-3 – Injured

Nicolas Meloche –  2015 Round 2, Pick 40 (SA Rampage – AHL)

One of Colorado’s promising defensive prospects, Meloche was taken early in the second round of 2015. A smooth skater with high hockey IQ, who can play physically and chip in offensively. After playing six seasons in the QMJHL, Meloche is now in his first year of pro hockey and looks to be getting adjusted well to the higher skill level. This is a player that the Avs hope can be a big part of their future D corps.

Meloche was scratched for San Antonio’s 3-2 overtime win against Bakersfield. Meloche has struggled to find a consistent role with the Rampage with head coach Eric Veilleux preferring a more veteran approach on the blue line. Meloche scored his first AHL goal and added an assist in the Rampage’s losing effort the next night. While he didn’t get any points in the team’s second game, a loss, against the Condors – he was only a -1, which isn’t bad considering that the team gave up seven goals.

Nov. 21: @ Bakersfield Condors

W (OT) 3-2 – Scratched

Nov. 22: @ San Jose Barracudas

L 5-3 – 1G, 1A

Nov. 25: @ Bakersfield Condors

L 7-3 – 0G, 0A

JC Beaudin – 2015 Round 3, Pick 71 (SA Rampage – AHL)

JC Beaudin has gotten better every year since being drafted by the Avalanche. Which is really all you can ask for prospects. He put up 53 points in his draft year, followed by back to back 80+ point seasons in the QMJHL. This is his first year of playing pro hockey, and he hasn’t looked out of place yet. Playing at a point per game pace for the Eagles of the ECHL (16 points in 16 games), Beaudin got the call up to San Antonio last week. This will be a real test as far as how he’s progressing. If he can continue to put up high point totals against players in the second-best league in North America, the Avs may have something in Beaudin.

Beaudin only played in one game for San Antonio given the time of his call-up. He didn’t get on the score sheet, but that was expected as he was just getting his feet wet, and that the team as a whole got thumped pretty good.

Nov. 21: @ Bakersfield Condors

W (OT) 3-2 – Did not play

Nov. 22: @ San Jose Barracudas

L 5-3 – Did not play

Nov. 25: @ Bakersfield Condors

L 7-3 – 0G, 0A

Rocco Grimaldi – 2011 Round 2, Pick 33 (SA Rampage – AHL)

This is one of the trickiest players to talk about. He absolutely oozes high-end skill and speed. He has been close to, or above a point per game at almost every level he has played at. He was San Antonio’s only 30 goal scorer in 2016-2017 and has put up top flight numbers every year in the AHL. Here’s the problem… he’s 5’6”. Which there’s nothing wrong with for the average person. But Rocco Grimaldi isn’t an average person, he’s someone trying to play in one of the most physically demanding sports there is. His raw offensive skill is obvious. But unfortunately, he has never been able to stick in the NHL for reasons that are completely out of his control, you can’t teach size.

It was an interesting week for Grimaldi. He picked up an assist in the Rampage’s overtime win but was held pointless against San Jose. After the game with the Barracudas, Grimaldi left the team for “personal reasons” and is considered out indefinitely. You have to wonder if his mind was elsewhere during the game against San Jose, and that’s why he didn’t post any points like he normally does.

Nov. 21: @ Bakersfield Condors

W (OT) 3-2 – 0G,1A

Nov. 22: @ San Jose Barracudas

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Bakersfield Condors

L 7-3 – Out for personal reasons

Tyson Jost – 2016 Round 1, Pick 10 (SA Rampage – AHL)

As this prospect report was being written, it was announced that Jost was recalled by the Avalanche. So this may be the only time Jost makes an appearance on the weekly update. Jost was the talk of the NCAA last year as he destroyed the league as a true freshman with high point totals and highlight reel goals. He signed an ELC at the end of last year, ending his short college career. He stepped straight into the Avalanche lineup and fit right in, scoring his first NHL goal in the final home game of the season. His rookie year has been off to a frustrating start. He has spent most of the season on the shelf nursing a lower-body injury. Finally learned by team doctors, Jost spent eleven days with Colorado’s AHL affiliate as he got back into game shape and back up to speed. Expect him to spend the rest of the year in the NHL.

He was not with San Antonio to put up huge point totals. While that would’ve been nice, the organization mostly wanted him to get back into the rhythm of playing at game-speed. After month off, Jost even said himself that it was hard to get back into the swing of things. His lone point came on an unbelievable cross-ice feed to set up a goal. Jost started to look like himself again near the end of his time with the Rampage.

Nov. 21: @ Bakersfield Condors

W (OT) 3-2 – 0G,1A

Nov. 22: @ San Jose Barracudas

L 5-3 – 0G, 0A

Nov. 25: @ Bakersfield Condors

L 7-3 – 0G, 0A

Injured Reserve

Colorado has two prospects that are out indefinitely with injuries. Sergei Boikov and Vladislav Kamenev are both sidelined with long-term injuries. Boikov has yet to play in any games this year as his injury was sustained in training camp. Kamenev was having a solid AHL season when he got called up to the NHL after being acquired by the Avalanche in the Matt Duchene deal. Kamenev had his arm broken on a hit from Brooks Orpik in his first game with the Avs. There is no timetable for his return, but he is working out off the ice at team facilities.